Pudina Biryani

I have been quite lazy of late and been looking around for quick fix /one pot meals. While all that i want to do is lie down on the couch with a feel-good book and a hot cup of green/ginger/lemon tea, it is quite a case of wishful thinking with a two year old running around the house. This is a simple and nutritious rice recipe that I prepared last week. While I would have done good with my old Pudina Rice recipe, my kid has been looking forward to eating more spicy stuff these days. I guess its the cold which has dulled his taste buds. Without much delay, read on for the recipe:

Preparation Time - 20 mins

Ingredient - 2 cups Gobindobhog rice ( you can use sona masuri instead ), 1 cup soya granules, 1 medium sized potato, 3 tsp mint paste, 3 tbs thick yogurt, 1 medium sized onion, 2 dry red chillis, 2 tsp oil, whole garam masala (2 cloves, 1 inch cinnamon stick, 1/2 star anise, 1/2 javitri, a pinch of grated jaiphal, 1 small green cardamom) , salt to taste.

Preparation - Wash, peel and chop potato into small pieces. Cut onion into thin long slices.

Soak the soya granules in hot water. After 10 minutes squeeze and wash 2-3 times with fresh water.

Cooking - Heat the oil in a pressure cooker. Add broken red chilli and onion pieces. Fry till translucent.

Add the whole garam masala and saute for 30 seconds. Add mint paste and cook for 2 minutes on medium flame.

Add the potato and soya granules. Fry for another 2-3 minutes.

Stir in the yogurt and cook for 3-4 minutes on medium to high flame till the mixture starts leaving oil.

Add the washed rice along with 3 1/2 cups of hot water. [ Sprinkle some chopped mint leaves if you wish ]

Close lid and cook for 2 whistles.

Allow steam to escape before opening lid.

Serve hot with papad and raita. Or just pack some for your lunchbox.

Note - Instead of using pudina paste, one can use pudina and coriander leaves in equal proportion for making the paste. Throw in 5-6 garlic flakes for added flavor.

Pudina Rice with Soya Granules

Cooking Time Required: 10-15 mins
Cost of Preparation: 12-15 rupees

Ingredients: Rice (1 cup), Nutrela soya granules ( 1/3 cup ), onion ( 1/2 , small ), green
chilli ( 1 no ), cut mint leaves ( 2 tbs ), cut coriander leaves ( 1 tbs ), cumin seeds ( 1/6 tsp), fennel seeds ( 1/6 tsp), mustard seeds ( a pinch ), salt, oil ( 1 tsp ).

Preparation: Grind the onion along with the green chilli, coriander leaves and mint
leaves and keep aside for 15-20 mins( this will neutralize the raw onion smell).

Cooking: Cook the rice with salt and 2 cups water in a pressure cooker for 1 whistle. One can also cook rice in a open vessel if one is not pressed for time.

Keep aside and allow to cool down completely.

At the same time boil the soya granules with a little bit of salt for 5 mins. Drain and allow to cool down. Squeeze out any remaining water.

Heat 1 tsp oil in a pan. Add the cumin, fennel & mustard seeds and allow it to splutter.

Add the boiled soya and fry for 2-3 mins.

Add the paste and stir for 30-40 secs. Add the cooked rice. Sprinkle salt and stir for 3-4 mins. Add a few mint leaves and remove from fire.

Serve with curd and fried chicken/stir fried veggies.

Note: The low spice content & presence of mint ( pudina) makes it an ideal lunch-box
option during the hot indian summers.